YOUNG MAN. [Between fascination and chivalry] By George! One simply can't believe in this happening to a lady.
CLARE. Have you got sisters? [Breaking into her soft laughter] My brother's in India. I sha'n't meet him, anyway.
YOUNG MAN. No, but—I say-are you really quite cut off from everybody? [CLARE nods] Something rather awful must have happened?
She smiles. The two gentlemen have returned. The blond one is again staring fixedly at CLARE. This time she looks back at him, flaming; and, with a little laugh, he passes with his friend into the corridor.
CLARE. Who are those two?
YOUNG MAN. Don't know—not been much about town yet. I'm just back from India myself. You said your brother was there; what's his regiment?
CLARE. [Shaking her head] You're not going to find out my name. I haven't got one—nothing.
She leans her bare elbows on the table, and her face on her hands.
CLARE. First of June! This day last year I broke covert—I've been running ever since.
YOUNG MAN. I don't understand a bit. You—must have had a—a—some one——